Sweet & Sour Bacon Green Beans
This Sweet & Sour Bacon Green Beans dish is a delightful twist on traditional green bean recipes, inspired by the flavors of a classic wilted spinach salad. The combination of crispy bacon and sautéed onions infuses the green beans with a savory depth, while the brown sugar and vinegar introduce a beautiful sweet and tangy balance. Topped with hard-boiled eggs for richness, this vegetable accompaniment is perfect for family gatherings or a weeknight dinner, bringing both flavor and color to your table.
6
Servings
58
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
3 slices (crispy, crumbled)
Onion
1 small (sliced)
Cornstarch
2 teaspoons (none)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Dry Mustard
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Green Beans (canned, Blue Lake Cut)
1 (16 ounce) can (drained)
Brown Sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
Vinegar
1 tablespoon (none)
Hard-Boiled Egg
1 (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble it into small pieces. Save around 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings in the pan.
2
Add the sliced onion to the skillet and sauté over medium heat until tender and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
3
In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch, salt, and dry mustard. Sprinkle this mixture into the skillet with the onions and stir to combine.
4
Drain the green beans, reserving 1/2 cup of the liquid. Add the reserved liquid to the skillet and stir well.
5
Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens and begins to bubble.
6
Stir in the brown sugar and vinegar, mixing well until combined.
7
Gently fold in the drained green beans and cook until heated through and bubbly, about 3-4 minutes.
8
Before serving, sprinkle the dish with the crumbled bacon and chopped hard-boiled egg for a final touch.
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
4g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet & Sour Bacon Green Beans?
This dish is a savory and tangy vegetable side dish featuring green beans, crispy bacon, and onions in a thickened sweet and sour sauce, inspired by classic Pennsylvania Dutch flavors.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
How many calories are in one serving of Sweet & Sour Bacon Green Beans?
Each serving contains approximately 58 calories.
What type of green beans are recommended?
The recipe calls for one 16-ounce can of Blue Lake Cut green beans, though other varieties can be used.
What is the inspiration behind this recipe?
The flavor profile is inspired by the sweet and tangy dressings used in classic wilted spinach salads.
How much bacon is required for this recipe?
You will need 3 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy and then crumbled.
Should I discard the bacon grease?
No, you should save about 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings in the skillet to sauté the onions.
What is the purpose of cornstarch in this recipe?
Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent for the sweet and sour sauce.
How do I prepare the onion?
One small onion should be sliced and sautéed until tender and translucent.
Do I need to save the liquid from the canned green beans?
Yes, you should reserve 1/2 cup of the liquid from the can to use as the base for the sauce.
What seasonings are added to the sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard.
How do I make the sauce sweet and sour?
The sweet and sour flavor comes from the combination of 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
What kind of vinegar should I use?
The recipe specifies vinegar; white vinegar or apple cider vinegar are common choices for this style of dish.
When do I add the hard-boiled egg?
One chopped hard-boiled egg is sprinkled over the dish just before serving as a final touch.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick recipe, as it uses canned beans and fast-cooking ingredients.
What are the nutritional macros per serving?
Each serving has 3g of fat, 4g of carbohydrates, and 3g of protein.
How do I ensure the sauce thickens correctly?
Whisk the cornstarch with the dry ingredients and stir constantly once the liquid is added until it bubbles.
Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh beans, but you will need to blanch or boil them first and use water or broth in place of the reserved canning liquid.
What is the total carbohydrate content?
There are 4 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include vegetable, green beans, bacon, sweet and sour, side dish, Pennsylvania Dutch, comfort food, and quick recipe.
Is there any cholesterol in this dish?
The specific cholesterol count is not provided in the data, but it contains bacon and egg which do contain cholesterol.
What preparation is needed for the bacon?
The bacon should be cooked until crispy, then crumbled.
How long does it take to sauté the onions?
Sautéing the sliced onions takes about 3-5 minutes over medium heat.
Can I use white sugar instead of brown sugar?
You can, but brown sugar provides a deeper, molasses-like flavor that complements the bacon better.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish features tender beans in a glossy, thickened sauce with crunchy bacon bits and soft chopped egg.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
No, this recipe contains bacon and bacon drippings.
What category of food is this?
It is categorized as a Vegetable side dish.
What is the prep for the green beans?
The canned green beans should be drained, making sure to reserve 1/2 cup of the liquid.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Can I substitute the dry mustard?
If you don't have dry mustard, a small amount of prepared yellow or Dijon mustard can be used as a substitute.